Topics in Vocal Literature

Topics in Vocal Literature: The[R]Evolution of
Solo Vocal Literature through the lens of the song
cycle

This course will focus on the evolution of vocal
music-through the lens of the song cycle and its
offspring-over the past few centuries up to the
present, primarily in Western Europe and the
United States. This course will not be approached
as a survey, but rather will examine certain
important works, topics and developments in-depth.
Circumstances giving rise to this genre and its
evolution will be examined, as will representative
composers and performers and their unique styles.
Works will be examined within their specific
historical situations, considering economic,
political, class, gender, social, educational,
philosophical, literary and other conditions. The
idea of the song cycle and how it has evolved, and
its probable connection/relation to pop/rock
concept albums also will be explored. Course work
will include extensive listening and reading;
analysis of features common to music within a
certain period and to the composers who wrote
within this genre; research into areas outside of
music that had a direct influence on its
development, and individual and group creative
projects. The class also will engage in
discussions about what it means to perform
historical music today.